August Morning Meeting Plans

August mornings are full of fresh notebooks, sharpened pencils, and the nervous buzz of students (and teachers!) starting something new. Morning Meeting is one of the most powerful ways to channel that energy into connection, structure, and a classroom community that lasts all year long.

Here are a few purposeful and low-prep ideas to kick off Morning Meetings during those first weeks of school:

Greeting Ideas
Help students feel seen and welcomed every single morning.

Name & Movement Greeting
Each student says their name and adds a movement (jump, clap, spin). The class repeats the name and mirrors the movement.

Mirror Me Greeting
As students enter or begin Morning Meeting, they greet you (or a classmate) by doing a quick silly motion or gesture—and the other person mirrors it back.

Two Truths and a Wish
A fun variation of “Two Truths and a Lie,” students share two things that are true about themselves and one thing they wish for this year.

Share Prompts
Encourage reflection and build emotional awareness.

• “What’s something you’re excited about this week?”
• “What’s one thing you want your classmates to know about you?”
• “What makes a classroom feel safe to you?”

Quick Activities
Build teamwork, routines, and fun in 5 minutes or less.

Classmate Bingo
Give each student a bingo card with prompts like “Has a pet,” “Was born in another state,” or “Can whistle.” They find classmates who match the boxes. Great icebreaker!

Would You Rather? Cards
Pose silly or thoughtful options and have students move to a designated side of the room to show their choice. (Example: “Would you rather have recess in the snow or in the rain?”)

Find a Friend Who…
Create a list of statements like “...likes the same color as you” or “...has the same number of siblings.” Helps students find common ground with new peers.

Message Ideas
Use your daily message to model positivity and purpose.

• “This week we’re learning how to be learners and friends.”
• “Mistakes are part of learning. Let’s practice kindness—to ourselves and each other.”
• “Every day is a fresh start. Let’s make today count!”

Tips to Remember:

• A consistent format (Greeting → Share → Activity → Message) builds predictability and safety. 
• Morning Meeting in August isn’t just about routines. It’s about relationships. Setting a welcoming, inclusive, and joyful tone now makes all the difference when the real work of learning kicks in.

Whether you're just getting started or looking to refresh your routine, you can use the ideas above to create a morning meeting plan that works for your classroom. If you’d rather jump right in, we’ve got you covered with ready-to-use four-week plans—one designed for grades K–3 and another for grades 4–5. Use them as-is or adapt them to fit the unique needs of your students and teaching style!